Singapore to Make Room for Dialects Amidst Mandarin Promotion

“Even as we promote the use of Mandarin, we can also make more room for dialects,” said Wong, delivering his Mandarin speech at the annual National Day Rally. “Many see dialects as a cultural heritage worth preserving. I agree.” Previously, guidelines dictated that Chinese films meant for theatrical release should generally be in Mandarin, and dialect films were allowed on a case-by-case basis. The policy was in line with Singapore’s Speak Mandarin Campaign, a movement launched in 1979 which originally aimed to replace dialects with Mandarin as the common language of Singapore’s Chinese community. Wong recalled recent discourse sparked by Dear You, a Chinese indie production filmed primarily in Teochew which premiered locally in June. “I believe it is because it reminded us of our pioneers, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they endured, as well as the values they lived by,” said Wong, adding that he had watched the Teochew version of the film.